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How to Choose a Workout Plan You Will Stick With

The new year has arrived, and with that, usually comes New Years’ resolutions.

“I am going to workout x-amount of days a week. I’m going to cut out carbs and alcohol. By the time summer comes, I will be 20 pounds lighter and loving life!” We have all done it. Set new years resolutions that we vow to keep, only to realize that a week, two weeks, three weeks later, we have fallen off the wagon.

So where lies the disconnect? You know what you want, you have an idea of what you need to do to get there, but it just doesn’t happen.

When choosing a new workout or exercise routine, not all plans are created equal. You have thousands of fitness plans to choose from; everything from training at the gym with a personal trainer, to workout videos like Beachbody and P90x, speciality training like boxing or crossfit gyms, to the boutique training classes like expensive Barre workouts and Hot Yoga classes. How are you supposed to know what will work for you and what you will stick with?

Here’s the thing…all of these workout plans are great. Some push you more on a physical level, while others are pushing you more on a mental level. They all serve a purpose and they will all yield results one way or another. The problem is, none of them will do you any good if you don’t stick with them consistently. The key is finding something that you LOVE and that you CRAVE doing. Granted, it typically takes around 21 days to form a new habit, however, if you find something you truly enjoy doing, it will be much easier to follow through and start creating that habit.

This is what makes us all unique, special, and different from one another. To the marathon runner who treks mile after mile, day after day, their ideal workout would most certainly not be going to the gym and lifting weights day in and day out. For the avid yogi who focuses on aligning mental and physical strength, their joy would not be in having a trainer yelling at them to push harder and go further. For the cross-fit junkie who loves the high intensity atmosphere, a structured barre workout or cycling class may not be the right fit for them.

So how do you know how to pick the right fitness plan for you? The answer is simple. Experiment. Try anything and everything you can get your hands on. You might just surprise yourself!

Purchasing discounted classes via Groupon, Living Social, or something of the like, is a great way to try new places and workout classes! They are usually valid for a few introductory classes or good for a few weeks and are non-committal.

Once you find something you love, or even a few things you love, you will quickly notice that you start making those workouts a priority and those workouts quickly become a part of your daily routine.

Happy New Year! Make 2016 a year for YOU.

About the Author: Megan Maloy is the founder of Primrose W+B. Her passion for a healthier, more natural approach to life has made her an exceptional educator and coach on the wellness and beauty achieved through organic living, food and chemical-free products. Her passion lies in bringing harmony to the mind, body, and spirit.